The Sentinel: Hobbies

Home design trends for 2025, making your outdoor living area spectacular

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BPT - Americans are spending more time in their outdoor spaces - and want to maximize those spaces. Studies show that nearly 90% of homeowners consider their outdoor areas to be important to their health and well-being. Design trends reflect that people are showing more interest in connecting with nature in their own backyard and enjoying the comforts of indoor living while gathering outdoors. This means creating environments that are comfortable, multifunctional and cost-effective.

The outdoor design experts at Belgard®, the trusted leader in hardscape solutions from pavers to retaining walls, share exclusive insights into 2025 outdoor design trends to help homeowners plan their dream outdoor spaces.

Privacy and spaces of solitude

As property footprints continue to shrink year over year, homeowners are looking for aesthetically pleasing ways to incorporate more privacy from neighbors or their surroundings. Decorative screen panels, pergolas, built-in planters and other structures can add elements of both beauty and functionality that provide a sense of solitude, even in urban environments.

Sound gardens and water features can further enhance a feeling of solitude by adding audible privacy from neighbors or street traffic. For example, even a simple fountain or water bowl can enhance the ambiance and help muffle sound.

Shifting back to classic style

While minimalism remains a popular trend, there's also been a shift back to a more classic style in indoor and outdoor home design. Mixed materials and warm colors such as beige and sepia are re-emerging, which lend themselves to a more traditional aesthetic.

With modular options from Belgard, a mix of different materials with multiple textures and sizes can create limitless possibilities while keeping with a classic design aesthetic. Because they're available in many styles, shapes, and sizes designed to work together, a variety of paver patterns can be combined seamlessly to achieve any desired overall look.

Convenience in design

As outdoor spaces are now a must-have for homeowners, they must be convenient to access and offer the same amenities as the home's indoor spaces. Homeowners are looking for their outdoor space to transition easily from the house to the built environment while offering the same modern conveniences of lighting, eating, Wi-Fi, quality furnishing and accessories.

Health and wellness

Using outdoor spaces to improve your well-being is a top focus for many people today. Americans are looking to be more balanced and in harmony with their environment, favoring the use of native plants and sustainable materials like permeable pavers, which promote better water drainage and reduce environmental impact.

Gardening is also a popular hobby that helps improve people's feeling of well-being, so enthusiasts can opt for raised garden beds or planters to pursue their growing goals in their outdoor spaces. For example, Belgard offers options to create built-in planters as part of your overall hardscape design with its Belgard Artforms modular outdoor panel system. You can use the panels, which are sized in modular shapes, to quickly and efficiently construct planters, seating, outdoor kitchens, fire features and more.

By designing outdoor environments that support their health and wellness, individuals can cultivate spaces that provide a retreat in their own backyard to improve their quality of life.

Value-added features

In every metro area, property sizes are smaller than ever. With this shift plus budget considerations, homeowners want to maximize small spaces through modular components that serve multiple purposes, like built-in seat walls, fire features, water features and planters that seamlessly blend into a living space - offering both functionality and visual appeal.

Homeowners can get creative with outdoor spaces with the right hardscape materials. For example, a small space can be transformed into a lush oasis by adding a vertical garden, or underutilized spaces like side or front yards can become cozy sitting areas. Even a small patio can serve as an al fresco dining space, and it doesn't take a lot to add an outdoor workstation with the right tools and tech. Patio pavers and wall units help define spaces, making them serve more than one purpose for any household.

These strategic investments not only increase the functionality and enjoyment of outdoor areas but also significantly boost curb appeal and the home's property value, making them a smart choice for homeowners looking to maximize their limited spaces.

To find inspiration for any outdoor space, visit Belgard.com.

Making space:
Freestanding units are a popular choice for people who want more room

NAPSI - If you are like many homeowners seeking to enhance your property and support your lifestyle interests, adding a freestanding hobby shop, home office, vehicle storage building, or recreational facility can be a great idea.

Photo: NAPSI

Building a freestanding unit on your property versus renting a retail location might be advantageous for a small business owner or an avid hobbyist. While renting commercial space offers more immediate flexibility and lower initial investment, generally it is better for small businesses with limited access to capital or needing a shorter rental commitment. On the other hand, owning a freestanding building might be a much better option.

Owning a freestanding structure does comes with challenges, including higher upfront costs, responsibilities for maintenance and repairs, and potential zoning or permitting issues if used for a business operation. Ultimately, the decision should be based on your current and projected financial position and long-term goals. The first step is to talk with a financial advisor, an insurance carrier, and your attorney to make an informed decision.

There are several advantages to having your own building on property you already own.

A freestanding building can provide you with increased equity over time. As the property value appreciates, it will increase the overall value of your land with the improvement. Since you own the property, you have control over how and when it is used. No more worrying about negotiating new leases, rent increases, security deposits, or restrictions imposed by landlords. From a profit/loss perspective, this can be crucial for long-term business planning.

While the initial investment for building a structure might be higher, in the long run, you may save money when comparing the aggregate rent paid over a three-, five-, or ten-year period. Plus, once the building paid off, your business becomes more profitable almost overnight with no mortgage or rental expenses.

Another advantage is you can customize your space just the way you want it. Constructing your own building allows you complete control over its aesthetics, creating a unique and distinctive space. Building on your property provides flexibility in terms of size and functionality. You can design the space to meet your specific business needs.

While in the planning stages, one should also allow for future expansion or modifications if you can not afford to build your dream space right off the bat.

Don't need space for your side gig or business, but need space to pursue your passion? What can be better than having an MMA or CrossFit gym just a few feet from your backdoor? Need a space to restore and maintain vintage vehicles? How about a space for your band to rehearse? A freestanding building is just the ticket.

For hobby enthusiasts, freestanding building projects range from a small garage to an elaborate workshop to support a wide range of interests, such as woodworking, classic car restoration, various collections, or simply for storage of equipment and tools, said Andy Brown, Morton Buildings suburban product line manager. Also popular are man caves and she sheds, which offer a place to get away to relax and unwind, enjoy hobbies, and spend time with friends.

"Our customers have used their Morton buildings for such diverse interests as an art studio, a family game room, a space for music and instruments, doing meditation and yoga, brewing beer and exercising," Brown noted. "Some couples split the space in their hobby building so they each have separate areas for their own interests."

Many owners of boats, RVs, and other recreational vehicles, such as motorcycles and ATVs, he added, want an attractive, well-designed storage facility to protect and enhance the enjoyment of those assets. Many of these vehicle storage facilities also have amenities such as an office, kitchenette, lounge, bathroom, and space for hobbies.

"Homeowners want a building that will not only support their hobby and recreational needs but is also stylish and can be customized to complement the existing structures on the property with design features such as brick and stone, cupolas and porches," he said.

Five inexpensive hobbies you can start today

Photo: Sarah Pflug/Burst

(StatePoint Media) -- With the weather turning colder and having to stay indoors more over the next three months, starting a new hobby might be just the thing to make the winter months pass by faster. Have you ever been reluctant to try a new hobby because you were worried you would spend a lot of money on gear, supplies and other start-up costs only to lose interest later?

Here are five great ways to explore hobbies more affordably without dipping into your wallet:

1. Language exchange: Rather than purchase pricey software or attend in-person classes, consider finding a language exchange partner. Take turns conversing in each other’s native tongue and pick up important communication skills -- and maybe a friend -- along the way.

2. Built-in music lessons: Music lessons and instruments can be expensive. However, you don’t need a full-sized grand piano or multiple sessions with a private teacher to master the instrument. Today, digital keyboards can offer a high-quality piano sound at a price that’s within reach, along with features specifically designed for building the skills of novices. For example, Casio keyboards are affordable and some models are outfitted with Casio’s Step-up Lesson System, which can help you learn built-in songs at your own pace. Additionally, the LCD display teaches both music notation and correct hand positioning, while an innovative scoring system allows you to track your progress. By connecting to the free Chordana Play iOS/Android app, you can learn to play your favorite songs from downloaded MIDI files, taking your music further.

3. Pick-up games: While organized sports leagues are an opportunity to make friends and get some exercise, you may not have the time to commit to weekly games or the inclination to spend money on team equipment and uniforms. Whether you call up your best pals to play in the backyard, or try your luck at the local court or field, all the benefits of team sports (e.g. fresh air and camaraderie) can be experienced participating in a casual pick-up game.

4. Wellness: To participate in online yoga classes, all you need is a mat and comfy clothes. Online classes can deliver high-quality instruction for free on a schedule that works for you. The important thing is to find a teacher whose cues you understand and who practices a style that aligns with your needs and goals. Safety tip: if you are unsure how a certain pose or flow is performed, watch the video first before attempting it on your own.

5. Return-on-investment crafting: Crafting can be expensive, particularly if you work with high-quality materials. The good news is that once you master a particular skill, be it knitting, sewing or mosaics, there are opportunities to sell your work at craft fairs and on sites like Etsy. And of course, crafts can make amazing gifts for friends and family.

While hobbies can enrich the mind, body and soul, they don’t need to cost a fortune. With a little creativity, you can learn new skills and try different activities without breaking the bank.

Learn the ins and outs of sports betting

(Family Features) - If you're intrigued by the idea of earning a little extra cash while rooting for your favorite teams, sports betting may be right up your alley. However, betting is a sport in its own right, and competing requires skill and knowledge.

With top tier reporting, free and paid gaming, Yahoo Sports offers sports lovers unique opportunities to immerse themselves in the fan-powered betting experience.

Learn how you can get in on the sports betting scene with these tips from Minty Bets, Yahoo Sports' lead betting reporter and analyst.

Do your research. Before initiating any bets, be sure you understand basics like how to place bets and how your payout is processed. You should also get familiar with the laws about sports betting in your state. Go into your bets well-informed about the predictions and how the teams are performing.

Understand different types of bets. The moneyline bet is one of the simplest wagers in sports betting. You're simply picking whether a team will win or lose. The positive and negative numbers calculate the payout if your team wins. The positive numbers show how much you'll win if you bet on an underdog. The negative numbers show how much you need to bet in order to win with a favorite.

With totals, or over/unders, you're betting on whether the combined team scores will be over or under a predicted score. Parlays are another type of bet that let you combine multiple bets into one wager to minimize your risk with a maximum payout. The more bets you combine, the bigger the payout; however, if you lose one bet, you lose them all.

Set aside money for betting. Sports betting can become an expensive hobby, and with the unpredictability of the sports world, you can never count on a win. That's why it's important to only place bets with money you can afford to lose. Plan a sports betting amount as part of your regular budget that won't affect your ability to cover your bills or other financial obligations.

Take advantage of easy-to-use tools. For players new to sports betting, there are resources that can help you get up to speed. One example is Yahoo Sportsbook's How-To Guide, which includes information like terminology and how to calculate odds. For example, if you're not sure how your bet might pay out, a tool like the Bet Calculator can help you test different wagers. You can choose the amount you want to bet, select the odds you've been given or test to see the potential payout with the current odds and stake.

Know your limits. It's easy to get caught up in the excitement, so be sure to set a spending limit before you even look at the available bets or odds. Two good rules of thumb are to avoid putting too much into any single game (many experts recommend sticking to 1%-3% of your total budget, 5% being the maximum you should bet) and to limit your bets to sports you know. Betting without any knowledge of the game, the teams or their players' abilities is not a sound strategy.

Take an easy first step. If you're not ready to place a wager, another way to have fun is by playing single-game Daily Fantasy contests, where you can use your sports skills and knowledge to try to win cash and experiential prizes.

Get in on the game with more tips at sports.yahoo.com/sportsbook.

Filling time productively key to reducing loneliness

Photo: Cottonbro/Pexels

Family Features - Even before COVID-19 limited social contact with friends, family and colleagues, many adults experienced loneliness and depression due to limited contact with others. A national survey in 2018 by Cigna discovered loneliness levels have reached an all-time high, with nearly half of 20,000 U.S. adults reported they sometimes or always felt alone.

With shelter-in-place mandates in place around the country, the pandemic forced many more people into even greater levels of isolation. Between stay-at-home orders or wanting to avoid coming down with COVID, Americans over the age of 50 spent a lot more time alone. And that isn't a good thing.

Despite the physical implications of a global pandemic, research shows the mental health stakes are high, too.

Wikipedia says, "Social isolation is a state of complete or near-complete lack of contact between an individual and society. It differs from loneliness, which reflects temporary and involuntary lack of contact with other humans in the world."

In another nationwide survey, commissioned by Barclays, it found that half of Americans over the age of 50 said the isolation from their friends and family has been more challenging than concerns over health risks they may face.

Social isolation has provided plenty of time for Americans to reflect on their priorities. The majority of Americans surveyed (90%) have re-evaluated their post age-50 goals and put spending more time with family at the top of their lists. In fact, the most common first thing 50-plus Americans will do once COVID-19 is over is to see and spend time with their families (41%).

"While restrictions are beginning to ease, many older adults are still isolated from friends and family, and that takes a toll on their mental well-being" said Lisa Marsh Ryerson, president of the AARP Foundation. "We must do all we can to help older adults, who have suffered greatly during COVID-19, strengthen the social connections that are so essential to their ability to lead longer, healthier lives."

For example, AARP Foundation's Connect2Affect platform equips older adults with the tools they need to stay physically and mentally healthy and connected to their communities. The AARP Essential Rewards Mastercard from Barclays is helping fund the foundation's work to increase social connection with donations based on new accounts and eligible purchases, up to $1 million annually.

A little creativity and a commitment to filling time productively can help reduce the strain of being alone until it's safer to resume social activities.

Use technology to connect with loved ones. Video chats and traditional phone calls can help you feel connected even when you can't be together in person. While a drop-in call can be fun, consider arranging regular visits with kids and grandkids. If you schedule calls throughout the week, you'll have something regular to look forward to and can benefit from a check-in that affirms everyone is healthy and safe.

Make time for physical activity. Staying closer to home may mean you're not getting the exercise you once did, but it's important for your health to stay active. Regularly using your muscles helps keep your body strong, and even light physical activity a few times each week can help keep your cardiovascular system fit for better heart health. Regular exercise can also provide a range of positive mental health outcomes, including reduced stress, anxiety and depression, and improved memory.

Volunteer in your community or consider virtual volunteering. Helping others is a way to release feel-good endorphins for yourself. While your limited social calendar may afford you some extra time, inquire with local nonprofits about how you can contribute to their causes. Especially as funding for charitable organizations has dropped, volunteers are still essential to most nonprofit organizations, whether the help comes in person or virtually. Even from a distance, you may be able to help with tasks like making calls to donors, assisting with mailings or planning fundraising campaigns.

Learn a new hobby or skill. Another way to fill your free time, and reap some positive energy, is to explore a new hobby or skill. The personal satisfaction of learning and focusing your mental energy on something that interests you can help offset the disappointment of being away from those you love.

Find more resources that support older adults at connect2affect.org.